Claims that sparkling (carbonated) water is harmful to your health have been doing the rounds. Some people are concerned that sparkling water, made fizzy and acidic with carbon dioxide, may have a negative impact on your dental, digestive, or bone health. Makes one wonder if still water is a better option than sparkling water?
Whichever option may prove to be the best, the body is no stranger to carbon dioxide.
The difference between sparkling and still water:
Still water is, well, still water. Sparkling water is also known as carbonated water, as it has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure, which produces a bubbly drink. It is also known as seltzer water and soda water. In its purest form it only contains water and carbon dioxide, while sparkling water-based beverages such as club soda are enhanced with added minerals like sodium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate, while tonic water contains sugar and a bitter compound called quinine.
Sparkling water’s effects on dental health:
When carbon dioxide and water are mixed, they react chemically to produce carbonic acid, which is a weak acid that is known to incidentally stimulate the same nerve receptors in your mouth as mustard. The presence of carbonic acid makes sparkling water slightly acidic, with a PH of around 4.5, leading to concerns about the destroying effect it may have on tooth enamel.
There is very little specific research in this regard, but studies on the effect of a wide range of beverages on tooth decay has shown that carbonated beverages only showed strong potential to damage tooth enamel if they contain sugar. Several studies found that beverage with a combination of sugar and carbonation may result in severe tooth decay.
From the studies it appears as if plain sparkling water are relatively harmless and may damage tooth enamel only slightly more than still water. For peace of mind, have a sip of still water afterwards to cleanse the tooth enamel. Sparkling water is in fact 100 times less damaging than sugary soft drinks.
Sparkling water’s effects on digestion:
Some people who are prone to stomach troubles, for example irritable bowel syndrome, may experience temporary side effects such as burping, bloating, gas, or stomach pain from drinking sparkling water.
This seems to be the exception, as sparkling water appears to benefit digestive health in many ways:
- Studies have indicated that sparkling water may improve swallowing, with a strong ability to stimulate the nerves responsible for swallowing. It also leads to an improvement in the condition of people who feel a persistent need to clear their throats.
- Small studies (small number of participants) have indicated that sparkling water has a greater effect on feelings of fullness after meals than plain water. Sparkling water appears to help food remain longer in the stomach, contributing to a greater sensation of fullness.
- Small studies also found that drinking sparkling water helps to relieve the symptoms of constipation, with increased frequency of bowl movement.
Sparkling water’s effects on bone health:
The acidic nature of sparkling water is inclined to make people believe that it is bad for bones, but researchers have found that only the cola carbonated beverages are associated with significant lower bone mineral density, largely due to the high phosphorus content. It is also probably due to insufficient calcium, as beverages tend to replace milk in people’s diet.
No negative effects on bone health were found in research groups drinking sparkling water.
Interestingly, animal research has shown that sparkling water may improve bone health, as a study found that hens, whose diets were supplemented with sparkling water, showed increased bone strength compared with tap water.
What is carbon dioxide?
Carbon dioxide is a molecule with the molecular formula CO2which consists of a carbon atom C that is doubly bonded to two oxygen atoms, O+O. Carbon dioxide is only water soluble when pressure is maintained and will try to escape to air when pressure drops, hence the CO2bubbles in sparkling water (and other carbonated drinks) when the bottle or other container is opened.
Carbon dioxide in the body:
The body is no stranger to carbon dioxide, as it is produced in the cells in the body as part of normal metabolism. It all starts with the air that we breathe.
With each inhalation, oxygen rich air fills a large portion of the millions of alveoli in the lungs. Diffusion moves oxygen from the alveolar walls to the blood through tiny blood vessels (called capillaries) which lines the alveolar walls. The hemoglobin in red blood cells picks up the oxygen and it gets pumped through the arteries to oxygen-hungry tissues throughout the body. Oxygen is freed from the hemoglobin in the tiny capillaries in the body’s tissues and then moves into the cells.
The chemical reactions in the cells that turn nutrients from food into energy (ATP), a process called metabolism, forms carbon dioxide as a by-product, as carbon bonds of fats, sugars, and proteins are liberated during metabolism in the cells until the carbon atom is fully oxidized and bound to two oxygen atoms.
Carbon dioxide moves out of the cells into the capillaries, where most dissolves in the plasma in the blood. The carbon dioxide rich blood returns to the heart through the veins and pumped to the lungs, where it passes through the capillaries in the alveolar walls to be exhaled.
Carbon dioxide plays several vital roles in the body, including hemoglobin’s affinity to oxygen, respiratory drive, and regulation of blood pH.
Carbon dioxide from sparkling water and other carbonated drinks plays no role in these processes.
Conclusion:
There is no evidence to suggest that sparkling water is bad for you. It is a calorie-free beverage with a pleasurable bubbly sensation, which many people prefer over still water. It is just as hydrating as still water and the option – still or sparkling – boils down to personal taste. It is best to read the label, though, to make sure it is unflavored and unsweetened.
References:
Sparkling water: Are there benefits? Published 14 February 2023. WebMD. (webmd.com)
Is sparkling water good for you? Published 15 February 2022. Cleveland Clinic. (clevelandclinic.org)
Carbonated (sparkling) water: good or bad? Updated 24 February 2023. Healthline. (www.healthline.com)
Sparling water: Benefits, risks, and more. Reviewed 25 March 2021. MedicalNewsToday. (www.medicalnewstoday.com)
Physiology, carbon dioxide retention. Updated 26 December 2022. STATPEARLS. (www.statpearls.com)
Physiology, carbon dioxide transport. Updated 5 June 2022. STATPEARLS. (www.statpearls.com)
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